Which areas are covered
| Scheme | Area | Runs | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Selective licensing | Parts of the Armley, Beeston and Holbeck, Burmantofts and Richmond Hill, Hunslet and Riverside, Gipton and Harehills, and Farnley and Wortley wards | 9 February 2026 to 8 February 2031 | £1,100 per property online (£400 on application, £700 on grant) or £1,225 on paper; £150 discount per licence for Leeds Rental Standard members |
| Mandatory HMO licensing | Whole city (HMOs with 5 or more people forming 2 or more households) | not published to no end date | £975 (£635 first stage, £340 second stage); £825 for Leeds Rental Standard members |
Check your street on the council map →
Do I need a licence?
- An HMO with five or more people forming two or more households: yes, mandatory HMO licence.
- Any privately rented home inside a selective licensing area: yes, selective licence.
How to apply and what it costs
Apply on the Leeds City Council website. Published fees: Selective licensing £1,100 per property online (£400 on application, £700 on grant) or £1,225 on paper; £150 discount per licence for Leeds Rental Standard members; Mandatory HMO licensing £975 (£635 first stage, £340 second stage); £825 for Leeds Rental Standard members.
Penalties for letting without a licence
Leeds City Council states that failing to apply for a selective licence could lead to prosecution with an unlimited fine or a civil penalty of up to £40,000.
What else to know about Leeds City Council
- Leeds designated the selective licensing area on 3 November 2025; every selective licence expires on 8 February 2031, when the designation ends.
- If you buy a rented property in the designated area after 9 February 2026, you should apply for a licence within 14 days of completing the purchase.
- Exemptions include properties with an HMO licence, holiday lets, social housing, student premises where the university is the landlord and owner-occupiers with up to two lodgers.
- A Leeds selective licence carries 27 conditions, covering gas and electrical safety, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, furniture safety, anti-social behaviour, repairs, waste and tenant paperwork.
- Leeds HMO licences usually last five years, and conditions include attending the council's HMO licence training course.
- HMO licence applications are made on paper forms posted to the HMO Licensing team at Knowsthorpe Gate, Cross Green, Leeds LS9 0NP.
Landlord compliance checklist
Licensing is one part of compliance. Use the compliance checklist, and if you’re starting a tenancy, the compliance pack.
Frequently asked questions
Does Leeds City Council have selective licensing?
Yes, in these areas: Parts of the Armley, Beeston and Holbeck, Burmantofts and Richmond Hill, Hunslet and Riverside, Gipton and Harehills, and Farnley and Wortley wards. Check your street on the council’s map.
Does Leeds City Council have additional HMO licensing?
No additional HMO licensing scheme
Do large HMOs need a licence?
Yes. Mandatory HMO licensing applies across England to HMOs occupied by five or more people forming two or more households.
How do I apply?
Apply through the council’s website: https://services.leeds.gov.uk/SelectiveLicensing